Best jobs for teenagers

If you're the parent of a teen about to start looking for a job, you may be wondering about the best place for teenagers to work. In any teen's quest to find a first job, there may be challenges. Make the process easier with these tips for the best first job ideas for teens.

Does your teen love roller coasters, water slides, live shows or just being outside? If so, working at an amusement park could be the right summer job. Every year, amusement park companies including Cedar Fair, Dollywood, Disneyworld, Legoland, Sea World, Six Flags and more recruit teen employees. Your teen could be hired to create delicious food, sell souvenirs or star in crowd-pleasing shows. Beyond just a paycheck, park employees typically get to use the park when they’re not scheduled to work (yes, using the rides for free!) and special events are sometimes held just for employees when the park is closed. Flexible schedules are offered because these companies know that school is a teen's top priority.

Would you like your son or daughter to have every Sunday off work to study for tests, catch up on homework or spend time with family? While lots of fast food joints are willing to hire teens, no other restaurant is always closed on Sunday, which is what makes Chick-fil-A a great choice for teens. It can be tricky for teens to learn how to balance after school activities, homework and a job. Chick-fil-A makes this balancing act a little bit easier because their restaurants are always closed on Sundays. Another great perk for teens is the Team Member Scholarships program, which helps employees pay for college.

If your teen has always loved to swim, protecting others from poolside injuries could be a good way to earn money year-round. While lifeguard certification is required to become a lifeguard, indoor recreation centers also need lifeguards to teach swim lessons and to watch over their patrons in indoor pools even in the coolest of months. Opportunities for lifeguards are also available at amusement parks.

If your child is too young to get a job at one of these great spots, but mature enough to handle the responsibility of caring for others, a babysitting service could be the way to go. The American Red Cross provides babysitting classes kids can take if they're at least 11 years old. These courses equip students for emergencies that can happen and the endorsement of the Red Cross earns the confidence of all. Word of mouth is a quick way to demonstrate that your child is offering safe and fun babysitting services.

If you or a friend of the family owns a business, is it possible for your son or daughter to be an apprentice or help with age-appropriate tasks, such as answering phones or stuffing envelopes? Seeing up-close how a business is run and learning practical skills can be a valuable experience for a young person with an entrepreneurial spirit. It can also give a young person clarity as to whether or not a career path is something they would like to explore in further detail before committing more time to it in college or vocational school.